RaiderCruiser

Sorry this took so long! I have attached two Platters, the ship's log at the completion of the sailing and an insert from GB National Park. I've never tried attachments so hopefully this works. If not I can email direct to you.

Cruise Log.PDF

College Platter.PDF

Glacier Handout.PDF

Glacier Bay Platter.PDF

Do you want one for any particular day? or the entire week?

I believe I have mine from last year.

For Alaska I would select veranda forward. You will spend more time on deck than you will your balcony, I felt we spent the majority of the time forward. We had a forward mini suite and we were able to see a lot of wildlife as well as what was ahead of us. I have an aft cabin booked for our next cruise, but don't believe I would like it as much in Alaska

We booked with Harv and Marv last year and skipped the glacier stop since we had other things planned. This was fine with our driver and he took us to our next stop.

For me it was the helicopter ride with glacier landing and dog sledding, simply magnificent. For my wife this was second and float plane to Misty Fjords was her favorite.

It really pains me not to be able to list the train and Emerald Lake, but I will follow your rules.

Nothing to be worried about. It is a great trip. It is very different from the Caribbean in that your priorities change, IMHO. Food and long dinners are not as important, same thing with the shows. The ships features are less a priority, while site seeing and touring take the spot light.

Still time for the kids to swim some, but while sea days on a Caribbean cruise mean find something to do on the ship since there is nothing to see but water, in Alaska there is always the opportunity to see sites and wildlife.

Mostly depends on what you like to do. Also, do you have to stay together in the big group? Often it is difficult to find things everyone wants to do. I have listed some of the things we did that were not part of a tour.

Lower Reid Falls, Gold Rush Cemetery, Red Onion Saloon and Museum, the museum at the old R/R station and lots of shopping and site seeing down Broadway(I think).

Adjusted points are just that, adjustments to your balance. If, for any number of reasons, you didn't get credit for a previous trip, Carnival is very good to adding these back to your totals.

No need for a warning. he casino will do the trick.

I like to eat as much as anyone, actually looking at me you would say more. But my experience in Alaska is food takes a back seat to all the activities and sites to see. Logistically trying to get back on board the ship to eat lunch on Lido and drop clothes off is probably going to take much longer than you are imagining. The shuttle from the glacier tour will probably take you directly through the shops and areas you will want to explore, jump off there. You will spend a lot of your little time back tracking.

You may want to consider a nice back pack(many find them a necessity in Alaska) to put your layers in while you explore the city, eliminating the need for the return ship trip.

Finally, the longer the time on the ice the better. As BQ said multiple stops can be even better.

Just a thought. If casinos would do just as well if they didn't allow smoking, then why is there only one major casino in the US that is non-smoking and mega casinos still only wall off a small area as non-smoking? Answer - they know it will hurt revenue.

Like so many have said there are a ton of choices and the best choice for some is not necessarily the best choice for you. The best advice is read opinions, research your choices and choose what sounds most like you.

One thing I truly disagree with is the flight information. Certainly in the past round trip airline tickets were significantly less expensive than one way, but in most cases, that is just not true today. Research on your own and don't ever take someone else "facts" as true.

It will be a great trip.

A few things on this. Yes, you will be in the National Park for 7-8 hours, but the majority of this is navigating into the park and making your way to the glaciers. You can spend a ton of time out on the decks, but the crucial time is once you have made your ways to the glaciers. An aft deck is OK for casual viewing, but you will miss a lot and what you see will not correspond to anything that is being broadcast ( since they will be looking forward). It is best to be at the front of the ship on a higher deck. Most beautiful things you will ever see.

One note of caution, I would not use a debit card for the account. With your sons in a limited funds position, funds CAN(not necessarily will) be held for a few days even after the cruise. Just a thought.

Just curious, How long i s the cruise?

We have used ATD several times. It has been excellent for us on all but 2 occasions. Once on Carnival it was just a little weird, couldn't ever really figure out what was wrong. Last year on Princess was not good at all. Long waits, different staff, really not enjoyable.

On Magic last year we had a table for two each night, the same staff, no wait and in and out in 60 minutes every night. It was outstanding.

We just enjoy the flexibility of going to dinner at our time. Enjoy.

NEVER, EVER apologize for a tangent, that's what makes this whole thing entertaining. I do accept and appreciate the apology,but none is needed.

Mamieof3 I believe you have gone off on at a tangent for really no reason. The arguments on this board always revolve around adhering to dress codes in the MDR in general and Formal/Elegant night specifically. I haven't seen a dress code for the steakhouse that would keep these folks out and certainly this attire would work for an Alaskan cruise.

Here's another vote for the combo. We used Dyea Dave last year and it was very enjoyable. Took the train up and van to Emerald lake and then back down. I wouldn't call the train trip "trilling" at all. It's pretty slow paced but surrounded by a natural beauty that is ever changing as you make your way up the mountain.

We did Coastal last year and found the whole crew very accommodating. As a side note we did the tour with the "additional glacier landing" and that was so worth the additional money. It was most spectacular part of the trip. Enjoy!

We've sailed both and I might lean towards the magic, even without the upgrades. We enjoyed both and didn't find a huge difference. For kids and teens Magic is probably a bonus.

We've done suites a couple of times and really enjoyed them. For your trip it's obviously up to you, but I don't believe I would find $150 a night value. I think I would pass and look to do something really special leading up to the cruise or afterwards. Maybe a limo to cruise ship or something of that nature.

You'll probably be a lot better off if you don't let the uninformed make your cruising decisions for you. To think there is some conspiracy for Carnival to SAVE money by not going to a port is crazy. Whatever port fees were collected from the passengers were refunded and at best Carnival draws even on the deal. Additionally, they lose whatever commissions they would have earned on the canceled tours. We are all disappointed when a port is canceled but it's no time to simply blame it on the Cruise line.

271!!!!!!!

No sales tax